Carmel, Ind. – Although the Carmel Farmers Market has concluded another successful summer season, one popular vendor will continue to make her wares available year round through a new storefront in the Arts & Design District.

Holy Cow, Cupcakes! is now a permanent fixture in Old Town Carmel with its opening at 545 S. Range Line Rd. Carmel’s first cupcakery shares a space with the existing Crystal Flash.

Owner, pastry artist and self-proclaimed “head cupcake” Karen Sutton has been baking since she was old enough to hold a wooden spoon. Taught by her mother and grandmother, the art of baking was ingrained in Sutton, who attributes her success in the field to years of trial and error. She baked for a cookie company and a bakery specializing in wedding cakes before deciding to focus her efforts on developing her own recipes, and offering her own exceptional baked goods.

The decision to focus on cupcakes was an easy one.

“Cupcakes have a wonderful sense of nostalgia around them, and are very trendy right now,” Sutton explained. “And you can find almost any flavor you could dream of in a single-serving size!”

Sutton operated Holy Cow, Cupcakes! as a delivery-only service initially, before branching out to the Carmel Farmers Market this summer. She received such a warm response and garnered such a loyal following, investing in a permanent home was the next logical step, she said.

“I live in the District, I work in the District, and now I own my business in the District. I can't imagine a better place to be than surrounded by the talented artists and designers who also call this area home,” Sutton added.

“When I have a chance, I love to experiment,” Sutton explained. “I usually offer samples of all my new recipes for guests to try and offer feedback on before any item makes the official menu.”

Sutton also shows her creative range through the boutique aprons that she and her mother design and make by hand. The aprons — also available at Holy Cow, Cupcakes! — are made of raw silk, shantung and taffeta and make a perfect holiday gift for any kitchen couture lover.

However, her unique cupcakes — named after Sutton’s closest friends and family — are the real showstoppers. The Sean double chocolate cake with almond buttercream — is named for her husband, and was Sutton’s first original recipe (upon tasting it, he proclaimed it was the best cupcake he had ever tasted, earning naming rights). Holy Cow, Cupcakes! most popular flavor, The Edie — a mouthwatering strawberry cake with strawberry cream cheese frosting — is named for Sutton’s mom in tribute to her love of strawberry popsicles.

“All my cuppies with names reflect not only my thank you to those who have helped me get where I am, but are also how I’d describe them if they were a cupcake,” Sutton shared.

Unique flavor combinations and stylish embellishments are only part of what makes Holy Cow, Cupcakes! so special, though. Sutton bakes only with local and organic ingredients, and her cupcakes are baked in small batches throughout the day to ensure that the highest quality, freshest cupcakes are always available.

To learn more about Holy Cow, Cupcakes! or to place an order for delivery or pick-up, call 317.571.1500 or visit www.holycowcupcakes.com. Store hours: Open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information about Carmel Arts & Design District vendors and events, visit www.carmelartsanddesign.com or call 317.571.ARTS.

The Carmel Arts & Design District is the Midwest’s newest, premier setting for the arts and design industry. Already it has attracted well over 100 businesses, including art galleries, antique dealers, furniture and interior design showrooms, even a race track design company! There are restaurants, boutiques, creative service providers, and an eclectic variety of specialty retail stores. And the list of merchants continues to grow.